it depends on the batting you choose how close you have to quilt- some batts require quilting every 2" some allow up to 10" between quilting lines- and everything in between- so start with choosing a batting that allows you to quilt the distance apart you want- and also remember you have to stitch the same distance across-not just straight down each row- you need to cross too- as for cutting- that is up to you- some people reach the edge- pull the quilt out =re-align and start again leaving the threads connected along the edges- some people clip them at the end of each row.